Online Gambling Laws in Australia

Under Australian law, it is illegal for any online casino—whether based locally or overseas—to offer games to residents of Australia. Providers that breach this law can face penalties. This regulation has been in place since 2001 and is part of a broader global effort to limit online gambling. That said, enforcement of these laws is often inconsistent, allowing many Australians to continue playing.

Interestingly, Australian-based casino operators are permitted to offer their services to players located outside the country. A few local companies take advantage of this, although allowing Australians to register on these platforms carries legal risks and could lead to the site’s closure by authorities.

Importantly, there are currently no laws that prohibit individuals from gambling online. While it’s illegal for companies to market to or serve Australian residents, players themselves are not breaking the law by participating. This partly explains the high levels of online gambling activity in the country. However, there are risks. Savvy players recognize that domestic sites targeting Australians are more likely to be shut down, which could result in loss of funds. For this reason, many prefer to use offshore websites. Although these sites are technically violating the law, they face a lower risk of enforcement action from Australian regulators.